How Does Prostate Cancer Treatment Affect Gay and Bisexual Men?

Physically, prostate cancer treatment affects men in similar ways. Men may experience erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, and trouble with ejaculation and orgasm.

However, these issues can have different effects on the sexuality of gay and bisexual men compared to straight men.

For example, many gay and bisexual men have anal sex, which requires a more rigid erection than vaginal sex to be successful and satisfying. Erectile dysfunction makes anal sex more difficult.

With anal sex, the problem goes beyond getting an adequate erection. Men who have sex with men often identify as the “bottom” (the receptive partner) or “top” (the penetrating partner). Erection problems may mean a shift in role for top partners, and, for some, a shift in identity.